Personal Injury Lawyers > Personal Injury Blog > Motor Vehicle Accidents > Wireless Companies Spurring Efforts to Prevent Texting While Driving Accidents

Personal Injury Blog

Wireless Companies Spurring Efforts to Prevent Texting While Driving Accidents

Personal injury lawyers in California would like to see wireless companies and cell phone makers get more involved in curbing texting while driving and preventing the accident risks of such behavior. Earlier this month, AT&T launched a nationwide anti-texting while driving campaign. The campaign has garnered attention like it was supposed to, but how much of an effect it will have on curbing the problem of texting while driving, remains to be seen.

The campaign is based on a series of messages from real-life accidents that were sent or received just before the victim was involved in a crash. With the message “No text is worth dying over” and the tagline “Texting While Driving… It Can Wait”, the campaign has caused people to rethink the casualness with which they treat their behavior of texting while driving.

Studies estimate that most Americans are aware of the risks of sending or receiving text messages while driving, but unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to prevent people from avoiding such behavior. According to statistics from the National Safety Council, at any given moment in the United States, approximately 11% of motorists are texting while driving. The same organization estimated earlier this year that 28% of all automobile accidents can be traced to texting or use of cell phones while driving stop. AT&T which is based in Dallas and has its headquarters in Atlanta may have some work to do in both these states. Neither Texas nor Georgia have a ban on texting while driving for all motorists.

AT&T is taking its efforts to curb the problem of distracted driving even further. It is collaborating with the makers of TV show “Melrose Place.”  The show will include a reference to the anti-texting campaign in an episode which will air today. The company is also working with the Melrose Place folks to develop a Public Service Announcement about the dangers of texting while driving starring Melrose Place stars, Katie Cassidy and Michael Rady.

The company is also inviting motorists to visit its Facebook page to learn about the dangers of texting while driving. AT&T is not the only one company that is focusing on raising awareness of the dangers of such practices. Rival Verizon has also been active in promoting the “don’t text while drive” message.

Obviously, any California accident lawyer would find such efforts by wireless companies who have thus far stayed out of the safety aspect of their devices and its misuse, worth encouraging. Safety groups would like to see more such efforts. However, it’s important that these companies not limit their involvement to raising awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. From past experience, it clear that raising awareness is only the first step. There may be the need for more measures like the development of applications that can prevent motorists from sending or receiving text messages while they are driving.

Thus far, it has been disappointing to note that no wireless company has been seriously involved in the development of applications encouraging safe cell phone use.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

---